Wildlife: Week 4

Everyday Wildlife

Peaceful? Boring… Hahaha

Bushveld Everywhere

And The Silence Was Broken…

Whaaahhhhhp!

Something big, something heavy had landed on the roof over the kitchen. The whole house shook, vibrating through the roof beams, down the walls, rattling the windows! Jolted awake, we sat bolt upright in bed, staring up into the deep blackness of the vast empty thatch void above us.

Whooooooophhh!

Again, louder than before and now above our heads. The grey tinge of dawn could just be made out through the curtains. What would be on the attack even before the break of day?

Bing, thud, thumpity, thump… something careened across the window… “Aaaaaaaargh!” came a blood curdling cry from the front stoep. “Aaaack!” came the answering challenge.

The Mug Shot

Baboons!

Flinging open the curtains scared away the youngsters playing cymbals on the windows. M bounded out onto the stoep with a deep bark, scattering the two males squaring off to one another in front of him and in moments the invaders had vanished into the bush. Does barking at them work? Only if you have a sling and rocks in your hand, yes. M always says, they can’t count, but they never forget what a sling and a loud baboon bark is.

Ahhh…time for coffee… Come, join us for the everyday wildlife in our African bush.

The sudden baboon attack did not present a good photo op – bad light for one and the sudden disappearance of the subjects on hand. But as the morning unfolded, the everyday wildlife came wandering by, just as they do … everyday.

Giraffe Drinking from our pond behind the house.

The Long and…

This old guy has a whole bunch of younger giraffe in his posse – he’s probably their grandfather or great-grandfather – and they all hang out together in the surrounding bush, nibbling the verdant growth of a dozen different varieties of trees and flowers.

Oh… Hi!

The Short…

This is the gang of banded mongoose that have become part of the everyday wildlife around Little Bundu. Very tame if you don’t move too fast and they know when the camera starts clicking, it’s time to act cute.

Looking-for-a-Snack

Seeing Stripes

The zebra get very tame but these are wild animals and they’re totally unpredictable. This zebra can just as easily take a nip out of you if he’s feeling frisky or wants a snack.

Meet the Gnu, Wildebeest to Us

Now Gnu are different

Wildebeest are lovely everyday wildlife to have around. They never get too forward – you’re a people and they know they’re not. Keeping a respectful distance, they do their thing and let you do yours, well… if it’s taking pictures, you’d better be quick – they’ve more important stuff to do.

Wildebeest Youngsters

New Gnu

Sorry, I couldn’t resist… gotta love a bad pun! Here are some of this seasons’ wildebeest youngsters. See how they’re already developing horns.

Munching the Magic Guarri Bush

Impala Eating from The Toothbrush Tree

Many Magic guarri grow in the veld around Little Bundu. They’re a pretty evergreen shrub with tough leathery leaves and all sorts of traditional uses. Since the first safari guide set up with his four wheels and stock of bush lore, thousands of overseas visitors know it as the toothbrush tree.

Breaking off a stick, stripping off the bark from the end and teasing out the fibrous stalk will produce a rustic “paintbrush.” Voila! You can scrub your teeth or paint some rock art.

Of all the everyday wildlife, the impala are ubiquitous. While the predators like lion are mostly busy near the river, the leopards seem to keep to the ravines and dry streams. Because of this, we’ve seen a whole new generation of impala grow up around us. Although they’re not supposed to like the magic guarri, they along with the Kudu and Giraffe love to nibble on these bushes.